Posted: 5/29/2026 2:08:52 PM EDT
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Remove the factory strap or bracelet and substitute an aftermarket to keep the original mint in case of resale? I'll generally wear a factory bracelet, but given the cost of premium leather straps I tend to remove and put a nice third-party substitute on. Some of the straps are $400-$500 or more, and I can get something very acceptable from Etsy for 1/10-1/5 that. Likewise, the bracelet on my Panerai retails for like $2,000 which is fucking INSANE for a stainless bracelet. I don't wear it much, but am seriously considering wearing it on rubber or leather to preserve the bracelet. A Tudor stainless rivet bracelet or jubilee is around a grand. Meanwhile you can get some lovely Longines factory bracelets for $300ish so I'll gladly wear the shit out of one of those. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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| I have rarely sold a gun and have never sold a watch. Part of the fun of ownership for me is not caring about resale. |
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Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
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No. There's a point at which if you can't use something like a normal person maybe you really can't afford that something. I don't mean this as an insult, just something to think over. I'm sure there are people here with bands that cost more than my whole classic tag, but I don't plan on getting rid of it until I die. |
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Originally Posted By Greenspan: No. There's a point at which if you can't use something like a normal person maybe you really can't afford that something. I don't mean this as an insult, just something to think over. I'm sure there are people here with bands that cost more than my whole classic tag, but I don't plan on getting rid of it until I die. I take care of the things I buy and see no need to baby them - although I don't take needless risks. I can more than afford the watch, I just value the fruits of my labor. As someone who frequently buys pre-owned watches I know personally that I look at the condition of the watch, strap, and/or bracelet and I negotiate from there. A watch that has an unused bracelet or strap, with a case and crystal in good shape, will command a premium. I have probably close to 200 watches ranging from cheap Timex to Panerai, Cartier, IWC. I know that when I lose interest in a watch I will sell it, and will want to get the most I can. To your point, if you're never going to get rid of one, it doesn't matter in the end and I have a few like that - namely my Omega Seamaster blue wave dial auto "Bond" that I bought back around 2000. I'll never sell it and it can develop as much character as it likes. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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I don’t sweat it because most brands offer refinishing as part of regular service and don’t drop the price if it’s just the case being refinished and not the band. And you’re going to ding your case over time. Heck, some now also do laser welding as part of service and will restore even the most beat up watch back to factory new during service. For leather, I’m a huge fan of deployant clasps. You’d be amazed at how much longer a leather strap will last (and looks basically new) with a deployant vs. pin buckle. |
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Originally Posted By HiramRanger: I take care of the things I buy and see no need to baby them - although I don't take needless risks. I can more than afford the watch, I just value the fruits of my labor. As someone who frequently buys pre-owned watches I know personally that I look at the condition of the watch, strap, and/or bracelet and I negotiate from there. A watch that has an unused bracelet or strap, with a case and crystal in good shape, will command a premium. I have probably close to 200 watches ranging from cheap Timex to Panerai, Cartier, IWC. I know that when I lose interest in a watch I will sell it, and will want to get the most I can. To your point, if you're never going to get rid of one, it doesn't matter in the end and I have a few like that - namely my Omega Seamaster blue wave dial auto "Bond" that I bought back around 2000. I'll never sell it and it can develop as much character as it likes. Originally Posted By HiramRanger: Originally Posted By Greenspan: No. There's a point at which if you can't use something like a normal person maybe you really can't afford that something. I don't mean this as an insult, just something to think over. I'm sure there are people here with bands that cost more than my whole classic tag, but I don't plan on getting rid of it until I die. I take care of the things I buy and see no need to baby them - although I don't take needless risks. I can more than afford the watch, I just value the fruits of my labor. As someone who frequently buys pre-owned watches I know personally that I look at the condition of the watch, strap, and/or bracelet and I negotiate from there. A watch that has an unused bracelet or strap, with a case and crystal in good shape, will command a premium. I have probably close to 200 watches ranging from cheap Timex to Panerai, Cartier, IWC. I know that when I lose interest in a watch I will sell it, and will want to get the most I can. To your point, if you're never going to get rid of one, it doesn't matter in the end and I have a few like that - namely my Omega Seamaster blue wave dial auto "Bond" that I bought back around 2000. I'll never sell it and it can develop as much character as it likes. With a collection of your size and being a regular seller you have a point. |
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So you keep the bracelet/strap nice for the next owner even though it doesn’t get you anything on resale? I wear my watches. It’s a watch, it’s going. To show wear and tear. Treat them as long term disposable items, like cars. When they get to worn, sell them and buy something new. |
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Originally Posted By Curmudgeon762: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/563702/image-3770254.jpg Scratches are like scars. They add charecter  This guy gets it. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By esdunbar: So you keep the bracelet/strap nice for the next owner even though it doesn’t get you anything on resale? I wear my watches. It’s a watch, it’s going. To show wear and tear. Treat them as long term disposable items, like cars. When they get to worn, sell them and buy something new. Unused premium straps and bracelets along with box, papers, warranty cards fetch a premium. At least in my experience. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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| I've literally never bought a used watch. Seiko has a new one that, in a way, would totally replace a current watch I have. I struggle with the basic concept of "trading it in." |
History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which Trump is always right.
Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
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I have a growing bag full of aftermarket straps that are fun as hell to rotate between. Recently got the IWC Mark XX on the bracelet, and ordered a (quite expensive) OEM leather strap for it. Love it on that strap, but it is even better on an aftermarket sailcloth strap with a deployant clasp. Thing is with that watch though that they use really stiff spring bars that don't have a lot of shoulder on them for their Ease-X Change system, so swapping to aftermarket bars is a little bit more of a chore, but the ease-x change system is really quite brilliant, it makes swapping between bracelet and leather literally take only a few seconds without tools, so I've pretty much only been running the factory strap on that one. Everything else is pretty much either factory bracelet or aftermarket straps of one variety or another. |
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Short answer No I can always get a polish job done & it gone over. How may times have you read about guys sending there 30 years old watches in & getting them back looking almost new Not if you want to change the look. Go from bracelet to strap Then yes totally different reasons |
I won't belittle anyone's decision to take whatever path they want. Protect the investment? Fine. Seems smart. FOr myself I've only bought one premium watch ever and bought it to wear on occasion. And honestly there was no way to get a second bracelet in titanium/rose gold and anything else would have looked dumb so I just wear it and live with any scratches. Which are few I believe.
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Originally Posted By HiramRanger: Unused premium straps and bracelets along with box, papers, warranty cards fetch a premium. At least in my experience. I’ve been in the watch game a long time. My experience disagrees. You mentioned Panerai. Let’s assume it’s a Submersible. Retails at like $12-13k…model dependent. You wear it three years and sell it. You’re going to get what, $6k-7k? If you have a pristine bracelet you’re going to $6,300-7,300? Couple hundred is all man. You think you’re getting $8k-9 with a perfect bracelet? If so, I know you haven’t sold used watches. |
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Originally Posted By G_S: Short answer No I can always get a polish job done & it gone over. How may times have you read about guys sending there 30 years old watches in & getting them back looking almost new Not if you want to change the look. Go from bracelet to strap Then yes totally different reasons Polishing can ruin the value of some watches, they are better left a little beat up than polishing. Most of mine admittedly do not apply for that consideration. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By esdunbar: I’ve been in the watch game a long time. My experience disagrees. You mentioned Panerai. Let’s assume it’s a Submersible. Retails at like $12-13k…model dependent. You wear it three years and sell it. You’re going to get what, $6k-7k? If you have a pristine bracelet you’re going to $6,300-7,300? Couple hundred is all man. You think you’re getting $8k-9 with a perfect bracelet? If so, I know you haven’t sold used watches. Originally Posted By esdunbar: Originally Posted By HiramRanger: Unused premium straps and bracelets along with box, papers, warranty cards fetch a premium. At least in my experience. I’ve been in the watch game a long time. My experience disagrees. You mentioned Panerai. Let’s assume it’s a Submersible. Retails at like $12-13k…model dependent. You wear it three years and sell it. You’re going to get what, $6k-7k? If you have a pristine bracelet you’re going to $6,300-7,300? Couple hundred is all man. You think you’re getting $8k-9 with a perfect bracelet? If so, I know you haven’t sold used watches. My experience is somewhere in between what you quote as the likely increase and your strawman which I never suggested. The bracelet in my experience is typically what shows the most wear on a watch. You can have an incredibly pristine case and a beat up bracelet/strap and a pristine case and unworn bracelet/strap and you’re going to get a little bit better than 5% in my experience. Appreciate your experience. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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I guess it depends what you are buying for. To wear a bit and resell, maybe swap to a leather strap. For me, if they fit, I wear them. If not, I swap. My wrist is a bit big. I’m buying watches to wear. I get buying a really nice stretch watch, but I don’t get fear of wearing. Maybe I’m buying for other reasons. That said, I don’t really own a grail watch. I’m thinking Rolex Oyster Perpetual or Grand Seiko, but not liking the price to buy in as I have to be comfortable wearing it. |
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Usually not but I did with a Breitling Windrider that came on a gold and steel Rouleaux. It can't be replaced for any sane amount of money. Well into four figures for an OEM replacement from Breitling. Same for the gold/steel Pilot bracelet that was also available at the time. It currently lives on a Strapcode Asteroid. |
| No, I don’t abuse my watches but I don’t do anything to preserve value for resale either. None of that plastic film, leaving stickers on, etc. I especially don’t trust a five figure watch to a $20 eBay strap. |
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Originally Posted By triburst1: No, I don’t abuse my watches but I don’t do anything to preserve value for resale either. None of that plastic film, leaving stickers on, etc. I especially don’t trust a five figure watch to a $20 eBay strap. I don’t either, but you can buy some excellent high quality straps off Etsy using exotic skins for pretty cheap and the quality is outstanding. Most of the sellers are out of Asia, but they make to order. I have several stingray, ostrich, water buffalo, lizard, snake skin and other straps from them - most under $100. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By savoy3: I just bought a hydroconquest and have no problem wearing the bracelet as it's not something I plan on reselling, I do change out my NATO straps on some of my other watches just for different looks |
| I pretty much only wear bracelets so anything that comes with both will have a brand new strap in the box when I'm gone and my daughter sells them. |
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No. Do you refuse to have sex with your girlfriend/wife to keep her fresh and new for the next guy? Kidding. I have a couple different bands for my PAM, but only because there's such a huge aftermarket for leather bands and the clasp is crossed pistols. The only band I replaced on any of my Rolex's was putting a Jubilee on my Skydweller. I kept the original Oyster band, but like the way the Jubilee feels when wearing it all day. To be honest, unless you're buying brands that are Rolex and above (and I consider Rolex to be the entry level premium watch), you're wasting your time keeping any other watch in pristine condition. Omega, Breitling, IWC, PAM, Tag, etc... have shit resale value. Maybe you get half what you paid for it. Premium brands like Patek, JC, Rolex, et al will get you, generally speaking, at least what you paid for it even when it shows signs of wear. Some, like the GMTs and Daytonas, will make you money even with heavy signs of wear. I have a Sea Dweller that is 18 years old and it's resale value is about $1,000 more than what I paid for it back in 2008. That said, even some of those brands have certain watches that are dogs and even brand new you'll get less than what you paid for it. You just have to know what you're looking for and what holds value. So enjoy the watch. If you're buying a Patek, wear it and keep everything original. You'll get your money back. Tag or Omega? Wear the shit out of it. I love my Omega and it looks like it's been to war with a band of angry badgers. But, that's what it's made for. |
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Originally Posted By pscipio03: No. Do you refuse to have sex with your girlfriend/wife to keep her fresh and new for the next guy? Kidding. I have a couple different bands for my PAM, but only because there's such a huge aftermarket for leather bands and the clasp is crossed pistols. The only band I replaced on any of my Rolex's was putting a Jubilee on my Skydweller. I kept the original Oyster band, but like the way the Jubilee feels when wearing it all day. To be honest, unless you're buying brands that are Rolex and above (and I consider Rolex to be the entry level premium watch), you're wasting your time keeping any other watch in pristine condition. Omega, Breitling, IWC, PAM, Tag, etc... have shit resale value. Maybe you get half what you paid for it. Premium brands like Patek, JC, Rolex, et al will get you, generally speaking, at least what you paid for it even when it shows signs of wear. Some, like the GMTs and Daytonas, will make you money even with heavy signs of wear. I have a Sea Dweller that is 18 years old and it's resale value is about $1,000 more than what I paid for it back in 2008. That said, even some of those brands have certain watches that are dogs and even brand new you'll get less than what you paid for it. You just have to know what you're looking for and what holds value. So enjoy the watch. If you're buying a Patek, wear it and keep everything original. You'll get your money back. Tag or Omega? Wear the shit out of it. I love my Omega and it looks like it's been to war with a band of angry badgers. But, that's what it's made for. I agree with wear it unless it's a seriously high end investment watch. My Omega is worth slightly more than I paid but then with inflation not really. I wear it and don't worry about it. Only concession I make to value is I no longer wear it to Thailand. I used to wear it there thinking everyone would assume it was a fake. Then I was looking at a street vendors products while wearing it and pointed at a particularly nice fake and said "that ones nice". He said "your watch is very nice". I responded "copy". He smiled and said no as a vendor he can spot copies and no one ever copied my watch. Yikes. Thais in general aren't violent people. But when you are wearing 6 months salary on your wrist why tempt them. Same with gold chains. I no longer wear mine. They are worth $$$ now. Heck even Rolex etc. some of the watches are not good investments. I think it's like guitars or guns or anything. Parts of the market are worth money as investment and the rest not. |
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Fair enough, points taken. I almost exclusively buy pre-owned (same as with cars) because I let someone else take the depreciation hit. If there are multiples on chrono24 of a watch I'm interested in, I buy the one in the best condition for the relative price. If two watches are both about $4k, and one is 95% and one is 85%, I'm either buying the one that is 95%, or using the condition of the 85% relative to the 95% option to negotiate the price down on the 85%. Functionally both watches are the same, but I use the condition as a buyer to get a better price... and if I was selling, I know my 95% condition watch is likely to win out over the 85% condition watch with price being equal. A few hundred here, a few hundred there certainly doesn't break the bank on either side of the transaction, just how I approach things. Appreciate hearing everybody else's take. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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I think you need to look here. Tuns Store This guy makes a great strap that is fully customizable. I’ll bet he has 100 colors and leather types. Truly a master. The straps are nice enough and fit well enough that they can be fit well from Casio to the most bespoke $1M Jacob’s & Co timepiece as long as it has std lugs and pins. |
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Originally Posted By pscipio03: …. To be honest, unless you're buying brands that are Rolex and above (and I consider Rolex to be the entry level premium watch), you're wasting your time keeping any other watch in pristine condition. Omega, Breitling, IWC, PAM, Tag, etc... have shit resale value. Maybe you get half what you paid for it. Premium brands like Patek, JC, Rolex, et al will get you, generally speaking, at least what you paid for it even when it shows signs of wear. Some, like the GMTs and Daytonas, will make you money even with heavy signs of wear. I have a Sea Dweller that is 18 years old and its resale value is about $1,000 more than what I paid for it back in 2008. That said, even some of those brands have certain watches that are dogs and even brand new you'll get less than what you paid for it. You just have to know what you're looking for and what holds value. … Interesting, but no. Watches are almost always sold at a loss. There was a bubble in there, but it’s gone. Buying a new Rolex and reselling as new in box may have valence because of the way boutiques treat you in the sales process. So, they all need to be bought to own and like all luxury goods, the value does not hold. Some are better than others. Buy what you can afford to lose. I gotta ask the OP….at what level/price is premium. |
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Originally Posted By M15A2CLE: Interesting, but no. Watches are almost always sold at a loss. There was a bubble in there, but it’s gone. Buying a new Rolex and reselling as new in box may have valence because of the way boutiques treat you in the sales process. So, they all need to be bought to own and like all luxury goods, the value does not hold. Some are better than others. Buy what you can afford to lose. I gotta ask the OP….at what level/price is premium. This, I buy watches to wear. I don't buy them with the intention to sell or as investments... no offense to those who do... 
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Originally Posted By M15A2CLE: I think you need to look here. Tuns Store This guy makes a great strap that is fully customizable. I’ll bet he has 100 colors and leather types. Truly a master. The straps are nice enough and fit well enough that they can be fit well from Casio to the most bespoke $1M Jacob’s & Co timepiece as long as it has std lugs and pins. I have several from him. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By M15A2CLE: Interesting, but no. Watches are almost always sold at a loss. There was a bubble in there, but it’s gone. Buying a new Rolex and reselling as new in box may have valence because of the way boutiques treat you in the sales process. So, they all need to be bought to own and like all luxury goods, the value does not hold. Some are better than others. Buy what you can afford to lose. I gotta ask the OP….at what level/price is premium. Originally Posted By M15A2CLE: Originally Posted By pscipio03: …. To be honest, unless you're buying brands that are Rolex and above (and I consider Rolex to be the entry level premium watch), you're wasting your time keeping any other watch in pristine condition. Omega, Breitling, IWC, PAM, Tag, etc... have shit resale value. Maybe you get half what you paid for it. Premium brands like Patek, JC, Rolex, et al will get you, generally speaking, at least what you paid for it even when it shows signs of wear. Some, like the GMTs and Daytonas, will make you money even with heavy signs of wear. I have a Sea Dweller that is 18 years old and its resale value is about $1,000 more than what I paid for it back in 2008. That said, even some of those brands have certain watches that are dogs and even brand new you'll get less than what you paid for it. You just have to know what you're looking for and what holds value. … Interesting, but no. Watches are almost always sold at a loss. There was a bubble in there, but it’s gone. Buying a new Rolex and reselling as new in box may have valence because of the way boutiques treat you in the sales process. So, they all need to be bought to own and like all luxury goods, the value does not hold. Some are better than others. Buy what you can afford to lose. I gotta ask the OP….at what level/price is premium. Generally above a couple thousand dollars. I used the word premium rather than luxury because there are people who will say Rolex isn’t luxury, and I agree, from a certain perspective it is rather pedestrian. Your average Seiko, Citizen, Bulova, Tissot, Hamilton would not be premium… quality for sure, but if you can buy them at a regular department store jewelry counter they aren’t premium. There are some models that defy that generalization for sure. Premium to me would be starting around Longines, Tudor, Omega, Rado, Grand Seiko, IWC, everybody’s hated Breitling, No those aren’t all equivalent, but the reside in a niche of the market that is above your run of the mill jewelry counter watch to jewelry stores that often have a relationship with that brand, i.e. authorized dealers or approved service providers. The new Longines Hydroconquest comes in around $2k and I would say that is clearly a premium watch, but not a luxury watch. Same thing with the Rado Captain Cook - around $2k new, maybe $1,200 used and a solid dive watch that looks really cool and is well built. While packing a lot of value, it is not in any way shape or form “luxury” in my book, but it is premium when compared to many of the mid-tier Seikos, but a dog to a Grand Seiko. There are no specific silos, and I get that’s why you are asking me my perspective on where certain brands/price points fit in and how I would define premium. A premium watch to me might be sheer garbage to someone else. Someone else might love their Casio Ediface, but for me… not my cup of tea. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Originally Posted By AdLucem: This, I buy watches to wear. I don't buy them with the intention to sell or as investments... no offense to those who do... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/15577/C03E8F5F-B86B-4DC8-A2BB-38A927D1A09D-866600.jpg I bet you've pulled a lot of tail with that hardware! 
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Originally Posted By Curmudgeon762: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/563702/image-3770254.jpg Scratches are like scars. They add charecter Right on! My 3220.50 is a daily wear. Attached File |